10. On Suffering, Self-Awareness, and the Path to Responsibility (#80)

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind. This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations:https://www.zaltho.org/books/ To support, please donate. If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps: 02:50  How do you know if you are in self-pity or just feeling bad? 07:47  How do you respond to someone who is crying but it seems out of context? 10:40  How does one take responsibility for one's own privileges? 21:55  When you first came to Buddhist practice, did you have a goal? 23:20  I experience great resistance. Why is this? 27:15  What are privileges for you? 34:27  What do you think when hearing the term "white privilege"?  37:00  What do you think is the root cause of defensiveness? 38:36  How does your finger (injury) react to cold weather? 40:30  Do you follow the progress of the Buddhist "Walk for Peace" in the USA? 45:20 Is suffering mostly self-created?